grossmann



May. 5, 1925,. 1,536,671

H. GROSSMANN LIGHTER Filed June 2, 1922 2 shuts-snm 1 l Mays, 41925,

' H. GROSSMANN LIGHTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 2, 1922 Patented May `5, 1925.

HANS` GROSSMANN, OF ZURICH, SWITZERLAND.

. i LIGHTER.

Applicant-n ined :rime a,

To all wiwi/t` ma/ if concern: y

y Be it known that I, Hans GnossirANN, citizen oit theltepublic ot Switzerland, residing at 28 Englischviertelstrasse,`Zurich, Switzerland, have invented certain new and use-tui Improvements inliightcrs, ot which the following is a specification, reference beinghadtherein to the accompanying drawing.

rlhe essential. ieature of the invention consists inthe combination of a receptacle as a storage device for combustible bodies provided with an'ignitable composition all over, Lsuch as ignitable pellets, cubes, leatlets, etc.` such storage device being `provided with a :trictional surface for `the combustible bodies and withY means tor holding the same while in use, land therefore ttor taking a comlnistible. bodyt'rom the storage device, for igniting the Vsame and holding it while it burns. The `combustible bodies are conveniently withdrawn from the 4receptacle by means of a gripper and then ignited o-n any l(ilesired or a specially prepared frictional surface. After being" ignited the combustible body then continues to burn in the y gripper with a quiet flame, can' be extinguished like an ordinarymatch or can be `allowed to burn until exhausted. The residue leftatter combustion has taken place is thrown away asin the case ot an ordinary match. y Thegripper is replaced inthe storage device or in the box for further use. The Vstorage device and the gripper may `vary in form. The receptacle or thestorage receptacle must be arrangech'like the` generally known match boxes, so," that the separate coin-bnstiblebodies can be easily withdrawn therefrom and that the unused ones` cannot .easily tall out durinostorage, transport, or while being carried in the pocket Inthe present case the storage `receptacle tor v'the combustible bodies may consist otany desired material, itV may be a rigid hollow chamber, so that .the disadvan- `ztage ot thcwmatch boi; manufacture,5the .fitting ot a sliding drawerlinto an outer covering is done away with.

.As a greater mnnber oit combustible bodies can be in general caintafinedin the storage device (receptacle) than was theo-ase with ordinary matches, and as no sliding box is necessary as areceptacle, it is .convenient to maltey both. the receptacle and the gripn 1922. sei-iai no. 565,450.'

per for the combustible bodies in a perma nent torni, so that when the receptacle is empty it is only necessary toreplace the y combustible bodies consumed. l

In the lighter according to the present invention thegripper for withdrawing, lighting and holding a combustible body may with advantage consist oftwo parts movable relatively to eachother with a spring placed between them, whichtends to bring the two parts bach 'into their original position. One part may conveniently form a sheath in which the other moves longitudinally against the action of the. spring and carries at the bottom an abutment for a combustible body to be seizedand which is taken from the end of the other part projecting from the sleeve.

It is advantageous to provide the part which forms thetsheath. with a stop which serves f to limit the travel of the part which moves in the sheath. y

A number ot' constructional examples of the subject matter of the invention are illustrated inthe drawing.

Fig. 1 is a. cross-section through the first constructional example of which' Fig.` 2 is a plan partially in section.

Aso

Fig. 3 lis a longitudinal section through a` second constructional form ofwhich Fig. 4 is a plan partially .in section. FigV 5 isa third constructional example, ot which Fig. Gis a plan. v v Figa 7 is a Jfourth constructional example in vertical loi'igitudinal section, and

Fig. 8 is a horizontalk'section onthe line VHF-VIII ofFig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a plan 1n fifth.constrnctional example.

Fig. l() isa longitudinal section ot a detail of .a gripper, of which Fig. 11 is a plan.` i y 'Figk 12 is -a modification ot',` a detail in section. ,y l

Fig. 13 isa modification ot a detail ot .a gripper, in section, ot which Fig. l-t is a plan.

Fig. 15 is a plan ot form. 1

Fig. 16 is a section through a seventh constructional form.. y

Figl( is `a vertical longitudinal section through theirst constrnctional example.

a sixth constructional horizon-tal section of a Fig. 1S is a4 horizontal section on the line ll-l1 ot Fig. 17.

F ig. 19 isagain a vertical longitudinal section, but in a different position.

F ig. 20 is a. second constructional torni in vertical longitudinal section, otl which Fig. 21 is a horizontal section on the line V-V of Fig. 20, and Fig. 22 is a vertical section on the line 17T-VI ot Fig. 2G.

Fig. 23 is a modification ot' Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a plan of Fig. 23, and

Fig. 25 is a further constructional example in perspective.

Fig. 2G is still another constructional example partially in section.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the combustible bodies which form theignitable pellets are introduced into a sliding box 1, 2, in which the sliding part 2 is movable in the cover 1 which is open at both ends. In the sliding part 2 a supporting surface 3 forming a guiding device tor a pair of tweezers a is attached to a longitudinal wall by an adhesive tor example. This suliporting surface l tor the tweezers 4 is situated at such a distance trom the bottom of the sliding part 2 that sufficient space is lett between the said supporting surface 3 and the part 5 o'l" the cover 1 to enable the tweezers to be conveniently pushed in. There is no room for the combustible bodies i. e. the ign itable pellets, ln Figs. 1 and 2 the tweezers 4 are provided with a bead-shaped enlargement 6 at one end, which prevents them from being pushed completely into the box. When the box is closed this bead G projects a few millimetres Jfrom the box and permits of their being easily laid hold ot without having to il'eel about tor them. After having been used the tweezers can be readily pushed into the box again between the cover' 1 and the support-ing surface El. The available space in the box is only slightly reduced ir. actual practice by the provision ot the above described supporting surface. As there is risk et the separate combustible bodies talling out of the box when it is opened owing to the movement ot the sliding part 2, it is more suitable to construct the box as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. i

ln Figs. 3 and 4 a cover only is provided, which is closed at both ends by flaps 7, and the supporting surface 3 which forms the guiding device for the tweezers -it is atlix'ed to one ot' the side walls. In the top ot the cover 1 is provided an opening which permits ot the insertion ot the tweezers and the withdrawal of the ignitable pellets. To enable. these latter to be withdrawn the guiding device 3 is made shorter than the box 1. By this means a small hollow space 9 is provided between the end *all 8 and the guiding device 3, in which the little balls can collect by tilting the box and can then be easily withdrawn by means ot the tweezers.

This hollow space 9 might also be ot such a depth that there is room for only a single ignitable pellet. By pushing in the tweezers this opening 1() in the top ot the cover 1 is closed so that it is impossible for the ignitable pellets to fall out either during transport or storage or into the pocket. The advantage oit this constructional form is that the box need not have any movable parts.

The constructional form illust 'ated in Figs. 5 and (S shows that the tweezers -l need not be carried in the box itselt but may surround it like a clamp, but close the opening l1 tor the withdrawal of the pellets at the same time. i

Figs. 7 and S show a constructional term in which the receptacle for the ignitable pellets is made in two parts, the parts 12 and 13 being attached to each other by being joined together. by an adhesive for example. These two parts 12 and 1? are made quite symmetrically, but might also be asymmetrical. The formation ot the receptacle in two parts enables it to be made ot all kinds ot' shapes. The receptacle 12, 13 has an opening 1st in it tor the introduction ot a pair ot tweezers 15, which. are automatically held inthe said opening 14 by their spring action. n order that the tweezers i5 shall not be pushed too tar into the hollow space in the receptacle 12, 13, stops 16 are provided which leave just sufficient room between them tor one ignitable pellet and to allow ot its being seized by the tweezers. Tt the receptacle is only partially filled with combustible bodies, a pellet can easily be brought within reach ot the claws of the tweezers by shaking the receptacle.

As shown in Fig. 9, .there may also be provided in the interior ot the receptacle a selector device 17, Jfor the pellets, which device is arranged close to where the tweezers 18 are introduced opposite the opening 19. This selector device 17 enables a single pellet to be separated from the others and brought- `opposite. the opening tor the int-roduction ot the tweezers 18, so that when the latter are introduced the pellet can be seized thereby. Theser tweezers 1S consist. o't a sheath with claws 20 which are adapted to seize the pellet. In this sheath is mounted a longitudinally movable pusher 21, so that the burnt out pellet can be ejected from the claws.

The pusher might also co-operate with a spring' in the interior ot the sheath, so that when the burnt out pellet has to be ejected the force of the spring has to be overcome and the spring automatically returns the pusher to its position ot rest.

As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the tweezers tor the pellets may be conveniently constructed as a clamp 22 with claws 23. The clamp is itself elastic.

Between the claw 23 of each limb of theclamp is formed a slot 24 which acts as a ventilating device, so that the air may be afforded access all around the pellets in order not to hinder the combustion of the pellet heldin the claws of the clamp.

The tweezers may also be provided with a stop 26, which prevents the splaying of the limbs of the clamp, as shown in Fig. 12, so thatwhen introduced into the opening of the receptacle 26 `it may not be thrust too far into the interior of the latter. An abutment for the stop 26 maybe provided by the mouth of the opening in the receptacle or by a projection in the mouth thereof as shown.

In order `to render it unnecessary to keep the clamp compressed the fingers after a pellet or a combustible body has been seized thereby a slide 27 maybe arranged over both limbs of the clamp as shownin Fig. 12. l/Vhen this slide is moved towards the claws of the clamp the two limbsof the tweezers are compressed owing` to their slightly conical shape, and the 4tweezers with the burning pellet, handed over` to another person without the two limbs of the tweezers having to be kept pressed together.

As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the tweezers 2S may also be provided with two claws on `one limb between which claws a claw on the other limb engages, thereby causing the claws to interlock. By pressing `the two limbstogether both ends thereof are caused to open and a combustible body can then be seized and is `irmly held when the pressure between the three claws 29 ceases. Access of the air to the pellet is ensured in this case also.`

In theabove described constructional examples the combustible bodies are freely movable in a receptacle in each case.

It is also possible however, to arrange the combustible bodies rigidly in a storage device, asshown` in Fig. 15. In order to cause these combustible bodies to ignite, the carrier 29 for the pellets `30 has a recess`31, into which a striking device 32 provided with a frictional surface projects. WVhen thisstriking vsurface 32 is withdrawn and `:moved along a pellet 30, thelatter is caused to ignite. j The apparat-us is also so arranged, that the adjoining pellet shall not become ignited. The form of the carrier may be any that may be desired.

It is also possible, as shown in 16, to arrange the several combustible cores 33 in a carrier 34, which is provided for this purpose with as many hollow spaces as there are combustible cores for the carrier to contain. This llatter has also an opening` 3G which serves for the reception vof the tweezers'37 forthe pellets. This opening .is so constructed that by simply placing the tweezers therein they areheld inplace by a clamping action. Each combustible body is thus firmly held in its own compartment and can be easily seized and withdrawn therefrom by the tweezers 30.

The tweezers of rigid material, a form of which is shown in Fig. 9, may likewise be coated with means for protecting them from heat. The pincers and tweezers may also be made of rigid material in two parts, connected together by means of a hinge and pro- `vided with an auxiliary spring. If an ejecting device be provided for the burnt out pellet or for the residues, it may consist of `metal or some other material. The ejector may be held in position by -simple friction in the tweezers and be operated by the pres sure of the ingers. `lVhen the tweezers are provided with a slide passing over both limbs thereof this slide may also act upon a projecting bead on the limbs so as to keep them pressed together so that the combustible body is simultaneously gripped between the claws of the tweezers. lVhen the slide is opened or pushed back the burnt out combustible `body can at once drop out of the claws of the tweezers.

j The tweezers may also be carried on the outside of the storage device or receptacle, being pushed into a guide, a groove or the like. By this means space for the combus tible bodies or pellets in the `receptacle is gained.

Instead of the constructional form shown in Fig. 9, the receptacles for the combustible bodies may also be provided with a guide which automatically supplies the pellets to the tweezers by a simple movement and which in consequence always permits only one pellet toV pass through. This guiding device for the 'pellets serves also as a stor-.

agechamber for the tweezers.

The frictional surface may naturally consist of a safety composition or any desired kind of rough surface.

The constructional form'shown in Figs. 17, 18 and 19 has a receptacle for the single combustible body `30 and from its uppermost edge a. `wall 43 projects downwards but not right to the bottom of the receptacle 41. This wall 43 leaves just sutlicient space ben tween its lower edge and the bottom 44 of the receptacle 41 for a combustible body to pass through. which however it is prevented from doing by `a spring 45 which is fixed to the bottom and bent up against the lower edge of the wall 43. This latter separates a passage 46 from the receptacle which is open at the top and into which a pair of tweezers is introduced. This pair of tweezers has a sheath 47 in which a part 48 is mov able byovercoming the tension of a spring 49. The lower end of the sleeve 47 is bent into the form of a hook and this end 5() acts as an abutment for a combustible body to be seized. The part 48 projects with its lower end from the sleeve 47 below and forms a double claw 5T, suliicient space being lett between both claws for the supply ot air which is required for combustion oi' the combustible body. The part 418 is produced by being` bent up from a strip ot metal and the other ree end of this strip is bent into a hook, which, between the upper end ot the spring' ai) and a stop in the sleeve7 serves to limit the longitudinalmovement ot the part Ll?. This stop can be formed a pin or a projection in the sleeve or the like.

The receptacle #ll may consist of metal. cardboard or paper in one piece or oit metal with a movable cover as shown in Fig. 18, where the cover nel is hinged on. This has a trictional surtace 35 iu a recess 56 in the side wall ot the receptacle YWhen the combustible bodies are in the receptacle itl and it is desired to ignite one, the part ot the tweezers is pressed into the passage 4:6 or into the sleeve et?, the spring being pressed against the bottom -l-lotithe receptacle al. By this means a combustible body can roll under the lower end ot the wall l-l and be brought into the double claw 5l. i/Vhen the sleeve el? is with drawn from the passage 46, the combustible body will be tirmly held between the abutment 5() and the claw 5l. The protecting.;` spring' eta howeverI at once shuts off the opening il-S under the lower end of the wall 4-53 when the pressure is relaxed. By relaxing the pressure on the part 48 of the gripper the combustible body is then held between the jaws otl the tweezers (the double claw 5l and abutment 50) as the position of the jaws ot' the tweezers is such that they adapt themselves to the size of the pellet-shaped combustible body. Vv'hen the tweezers are withdrawn the spring' elfi) lzeeps the pressure up longitudinally otl the tweezers in the pellet so that it cannot fall out oi' the jaws. The ignition ot the pellets in the tweezers is produced by rubbing; the head of the ball protruding trom the jaws ot' the tweezers. By means of this arrangement combustible bodies which become sott when they burn can be used. The pellet is not compressed but is yet tirmly held by the pressure which retains it. After use pressure is applied to the movable part 8 of the tweezers and the burnt ont remains l'all at once, or by the aid ot' a straight tap, out of the tweezers. rEhe latter firmly holds the pellet which softens while it burns, but does not crush it, which is important tor the easy removal ot the burnt out remains from the tweezers.

Fig. 20 shows a pair ot tweezers in which a portion 5S shaped like a pair ot' tongs is longitudinally movable in the sleeve against the action ot the spring,` 59. A stop 60 is provided in the sleeve 57 and the spring` 59 bears against this stop. The lower end ot the sleve 57 carries a locltinzg` bridge Gl, which prevents the combustible bodies seized from rollingv into the interior ot the sleeve 5T. but vet allows the bridge sullicient room at its side Yl'or the jaws (i2 ot Athe tweezers to pass through. These jaws ($2 open under pressure applied to the top ot' the part 58. the spring 55) being; compressed. 'l`his latter nieves the tongs-shaped part 5S upwards again, when. the pressure on the part 58 is relaxed.v ln order that the tweezers shall not tall out ot the 'receptacle Ll-l, the upper edge parts ot the sleeve 5T are elastically bent over, so that they can hold lirnily on th(` side walls of the receptacle 421. .tly incliniug' the receptacle -l-l a comlnistinle body can be brought exactly under the tweezers and seized by the jaws (l2 thereot when the part 58 is depressed. The ignition ot the combustible body seized is produced by rubbing' it on 'the frictional surface. which in the present case is lirnlly held between the cover and the side walls ot the receptacle -"l-1. ln this case also the tweezers are placed or held in a passage divided ol'i" by a division wall lf3. Again in the present case the size and the position oit the jaws ot the tweezers and the action of the spring is so arranged. that the pellet shall be securel).v held.y but prevented from being crushed while burniiigg.

In the case ot' pellets which have a hard core when they burn the adjustment is considerably more simple. By applying' pressure to the part 58 ot the tweezers after the pellet has been ignited and used the jaws ot the tweezers are moved apart owing to their construction and the burnt out pellet at once drops out o'l the claws GQ of the tweezers. In this case also the jaws grasp the pellet so that the lower spherical surface thereof remains tree and can be rubbed without hindrance on an ignitinp; or trictional Surface. Again in this case the receptacle can be made in an extremely simple form, e. g. out of pieces of wood, cardboard, paper, etc. To prevent the tweezers from falling out of the receptacle and to avoid too acci;- rate a construction ot the receptacle, two or only one overlapping portion is provided at the upper lend ot the tweezers sleeve. which overlapping portion Gil catches easily and elastically over the walls of the receptacle. This form of the tweezers can naturally also be used in the case of the receptacle shown in Fig'. 17.

Instead ot' making' the tweezers ot the same width as the receptacle l1 itselt, it is also possible in wider receptacles to provide in one corner a rectane'ularly bent up partition G5 as shown in Fig'. 2l. ln other respeels the construction of the tweezers shown in Figs. 23 and 24k is the same as in. Figs. 2t). 2l and It is not necessary that the tweezers should be contained in the receptacle itself', on the contrary the tweezers may also be kept separate `from the receptacle tor the Combustible bodies. This is advisable in cases where the bodies are always ignited in the same place,` as in a `kitchen for example. The pellets are kept in a reeeptaeleGG and a number ot trietional surfaces are provided thereon in the formel1' a block with single leaves which can be torn off like atear-.otl' calendar, which block 67 is arranged at the side of the reoeptacle :66,.but might also be hung up separately therefrom. i A

In Fig. 2O the frictional surface is held in place by being simply elampedbetween the lid and the receptacle and removed by lifting up the lid; and the` reeeptaclemay be piled with combustible bodies at the same time. A metal plate 63 `for stiffening the y trictional surface may also be inserted underneath it as shown in Fig. 1S.

f The tweezers shown possess the following properties: they permit ot each single com bustible `body being securely and easily grasped, whenA ignited; and while burning it is only possible for the pellet to tall out under extraordinary eircumstances. After use the burning,extinguished or used up combnstiblebody can be removed by a simple movement; and by a simple movement in the receptacle the next `pellet can be simultaneously seized and` prepared `for the next` ignition. i i

7ith the eonstructional form Ashowniin Figs.` 17. 1S and i9 inwhich a separate receptacle for `the single.combustible body is provided inwhieh reeeptaclethe gripper is inserted. thelatter and `combustible `bodies may tall out ot the receptacle when the grip-` per is removed trom the latter, i. e. Awhen the gripper is utilized-tor lighting a pellet.

These disadvantages are overcome by the constructional example illustratedv in Fig. 2G.` ln a receptacle 7 0 having a rectangular cross-section in a` plan view combustible bodies 7l in the shape otlittle spheres i. e. the ignition pellets, are Contained. ln this receptacle a plate spring` 72 is so inserted that an oblong channel is formed adapted to take up the gripper 74. `This platespring is secured with its one end to one of the short y sides of the receptacle by means of a folded portion 7 The other end of this spring is so bent that when the gripper 74 is partly or totally withdrawn the passage is closed by the endof the spring, as shown in Fig. 26. From the rea-r wall 'ot the receptacle 70 a small. portion isbent to` project into theinterior ot the receptacle, vthis portion 79 serves asia stop 'for the spring 72. The receptacle is closed by means of a sliding lid 73, the upper edge 78 otwhiehbeing p ro vided with a folded over `portion into which `the rictional surface 76 for igniting the safety ignition pellets thereon is inserted. ln Connection with the folded portion 7S the tightly.

other three sides ot the receptacle 70 are provided with similar folded portions 77 adapted `to 'forni a guidance for the sliding lid 7 and to hold the Yfrictional surface 76 in position. ,i A

The gripper 74 consists ot a sheath hav ing a squarey cross-section and a tapering lower end 8,4 made by cutting at the tour sides oblong portions out ol the sheath and pressing the remaining` portions together. Four apertures 85 `are thereby formed" in this tapering end portion oft the gripper which act together with the end portions as luestor permitting access ot air. Tithin the sheath two U-shaped steelwires 8O are erosswise' arranged which project above the sheath and are `Connected together, "for instance byy soldering, at the 'uppermost point where they cross each other.` The four free ends 'of the `two steel wires 80 project be-v yond the lower tapering part` 84 ot the gripper `74 and` are adapted to 'grip or clamp an ignition vpellet in the manner shown in Fig. 26 ot the drawing. The sheath ot' the gripper" is transifersed by `a pin 82 upon which a helical spring 81 rests, the latter tending to litt'the' two steel wires 80 and to pull the claw-,shaped ends ofthe latter into' the taperingportion 84 of the sheath. A pressure yexerted on the steel wires project-y ing above the sheath causes the spring 8l to be Compressed whereupon the tree ends `of the two steel wires move further out ot the tapering portion 84 and spread out in order to be able to Clamp the ignition pellet present at, the lower end `of the passage formed by the plate spring 7 2.

Then the gripper 74 is inserted into the passage it is trictionally engaged by the spring, whereby the gripper is prevented trom falling ont. When the gripper is pushed into the passage until Vthe wings 83 rest on the upper yedge ot the receptacle, the lower end ot the spring 72 is pushed aside by the tapering portion 84 of the gripper so that the passage is opened at its lower end and a pellet which is in the corner of the receptacle may be engaged bythe gripper.

lith the gripper in this position a pressure on the steel springs projecting above the sheath, whereby the power of the spring Sl has to be overcome, causes the tree ends ofthe steel wire to project further beyond the lower end of the tapering part 84 and tov clamp the pellet placed within reach. As soon as the pressure relaxes the claws retreat somewhat and `clamp the pellet Then the gripper lis now with drawn` from the passage it holds a pellet; The withdrawing ot the gripper is facilitated bythe wings S3`provided onthe grip` per 74. The passage is automaticallyclosed by means ot the plate spring 72 so that no further pellets can tall outoii thereeeptaele 70 when the gripper is removed.

The gripped ignition pellet may then be lighted at the frictional surface 76. Then the gripper is held with the burning pellet pointing upwards a sufficient supply ot' air to the pellet is provided by the apertures and the tapering portion 84; which act similar to a chimney. The steel wires 80 are comparatively thin, they absorb theretore little heat and cover only a small portion ot the surface ot the pellets, so that the ignition is not hindered by same. The pellet burns quietly.

The tapering end oit the gripper enables an easy insertion ot the latter into the passage also in the dark. By withdrawing' the slide 75 the receptacle may conveniently be filled with pellets and the frictional surtace may be replaced by a new one. Instead ot being made ot metal the receptacle might be folded ot one piece of cardboard. ln the lower part ot' the wall of the receptacle a window may be provided for controlling the contents. The stop 7 9 in the rear wall of the receptacle may be made longer so that an oblong slot is formed in said wall through which the contents may be controlled.

The lower end of the plate spring 72 may be bent so that a. supply passage is formed for containing several pellets, whereby the bent oli' portion ot the plate spring is arranged parallel to the lower wall 70 ot the receptacle when the spring closes the lower end of thel passage containing the gripper. Thereby it is ensured that one pellet is in the corner ot the receptacle below the gripper. The tapering end 84 of the gripper ensures a good guide of the two clamping wires SO.

I claim:

l. A lighter comprising in con'ibination an apertured receptacle adapted to hold combustible pellets completely surrounded by an ignitable composition, means on said receptacle forming a chamber registering with said aperture in which chamber said pellets are singly presented to said aperture, tongs consisting of twov relatively movable part-s and a spring placed between them, one ot said movable part-s being a sleeve in which the other part is longitudinally movable against said spring, a single pellet being gripped by the relative movementof said tongs parts for withdrawing a pellet. holding the withdrawn pellet during ignition and while it burns, said tongs being normally inserted in said chamber and covering said aperture.

Q. A lighter comprising in combination an apertured receptacle adapted 'to hold combustible pellets completely surrounded by an ignitable' composition, al movable cover on said receptacle and provided with an interchangeable trictional sui-tacev` a partition wall consisting of a plate spring in said receptacle forming a chamber registering with said aperture in which chamber said pellets are singly presented to said aperture by passing under the plate spring, tong;-4 having c-law shaped ends adapted to grip a single pellet for withdrawing the latter, holding the withdrawn pellet during ignition and while it burns, said tongs being normally inserted in said chamber and covering said aperture, said plate spring holding said tongs securely in position when inserted and' causing the lower end of the chamber to be closed when the tongs are withdrawn.

3. A lighter comprising in combination an apertured receptacle adapted to hold combustible pellets completely surrounded by an ignitable composition, a movable cover on said receptacle and provided with an interchangeable trictional surface, a pai'- tition wall consisting of a plate spring in said receptacle forming a chamber registering with said aperture in which chamber said pellets are singly presented to said aperturi` by passing under the plate spring, tongs consisting ot two relatively movable parts and a spring placed between them, one ot said parts having claw shaped pellet receiving ends adapted to grip a single pellet by the relative movement of said tong parts for withdrawing a pellet, holding the withdrawn pellet during ignition and while it burns, said tongs being normally inserted in said chamber and covering said aperture and being securely held in position when inserted by said plate spring, the latter causing the' lower end ot' the chamber to be closed when the tongs are withdrawnv` the lower portion ot' said tongs being tapered in order to provide tor a more conif'enient insert-ion into said chamber and to provide for apertures permitting of access o't air in said tapered portion of the tongs to the ignited gripped pellet.

4. The coml'iination in a match pellet receptacle having an aperturev` ot a plate spring in said receptacle forming a parttion wall and forming with said receptacle means tor trictionally holding a pellet remover, a pellet remover comprising clamping jaws capable of engaging the pellet :trom the top when projected into said aperture, said pellet remover covering the aperture and iilling the space between one side of said spring and receptacle, and said spring automatically and fully closing to pellets the chamber formed between the spring and receptacle as the pellet remover is withdrawn.

ln testimony whereof l aliix my signature.

Dn. HANS GROSSliIfiNN. 

